Hey Bibilomainics,
Happy December!
As the end of the year comes around, I have been thinking a lot about my reading goals and who I am as a reader? Since 2011, I have participated in the goodreads reading challenge. I feel like participating in the goodreads challenge makes me feel part of the book blogger/ goodreads community.
Ariel Basset, recently came out with a youtube video titled “Is reading competitive?” And it got me reflecting on my reading habits. Before blogging, I made youtube videos and although I have wanted to create some video content for a while, I have have had two things stopping me. Number 1, not reading enough and not being able to explain my thoughts clearly enough via the video outlet. With writing, when I do these discussion posts they are mostly brain dumps that I can sit and stare at my screen, I think the notion that the camera is rolling and I am expected to say something really makes me anxious in a way and I battle with anxiety already that having that extra element is not necessary beneficial to my well being.
Going back to the video, Ariel talked about reading being competitive in the sense that the online book community makes goals and makes them public. This in turn no longer makes reading a solitary thing. Looking back, even at this year I feel like I have not read any GREAT books. Which is so sad, and I began to think why do I read the first place. It wasn’t until May this year that I began to even dedicate time for reading. And although I have been feeling guilty for not reading more books, I have enjoyed the process of reading. But, I also feel like a lot of my reading was rushed, because I felt like I was spending too much time on one particular book. I also, have started and put down a lot of books, due to the competition I have been feeling with my reading. In honest truth I don’t think that anyone really cares if I read 100 books or if I have read only one book.
With all that being said, what does that mean for the upcoming year? That means that next year I will be reading just for fun. What does that mean for this blog?
Well, my hopes are that because I am reading for fun and not
pressured to read a certain amount, there will be more diversity in the books I read and am able to bring more content that is authentic and really connects with my life rather than just a review or a tbr. I want to share with you books that have really changed my life. Ariel gave a really good example in her video, something along the lines that “she reads in order to find her favorite hidden gems that she can go back and reread.” I love this because I don’t reread many books, but the ones that I have reread in the past some have brought back joy and memories from the first time I read them and some have disappointed me such as “The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo”, it just didn’t gripe me in as it did the first time I read it.
With taking time for reading for fun this year, I also want to dwell into the creative photography aspect. I have been loving bookstagram and even captured a picture today that I am really proud of (seen above). I want to focus the next year on finding hidden gems and the many new adventures awaiting me in the next year.
With Warm Cups of Tea and Just a Few More Chapters,
(P.S. Check out Ariel Basset on Youtube, she has great content. Just click her name on this post and it will take you to her page. )
Rina
marinainw0nderland 